Chapter Four
A day passed and Dr. Erskine came to his conclusion. He was willing to take Steve as his test subject. And Mordred and I were to stay at the camp while Steve underwent the progress. Mordred was fine with staying behind; after all he had to continue with training the soldiers. I, on the other hand, wasn't too pleased. How could I let my baby brother undergo a scientific experiment without me there to comfort him.
When I confronted Dr. Erskine about it, he merely patted me on the shoulder.
"Fear not, my dear. Your brother is strong enough to handle this on his own," he had said. "Besides, the Coronal wants you to take my place as Doctor should anything happen while I am away." I merely huffed in reply.
Pacing up and down the barracks, I yearned to stretch my wings and take flight. It's been months since the last time I transformed into my dragon form, and I could feel the dragon begging to be let free and take to the skies.
But because of how there was a lack of dragons in today's world, a dragon suddenly flying about would surely cause a riot. Especially if the Coronal finds out that I am that dragon. Surely then he would be persuaded that I need to battle in this war.
"Still so tense, Rex?" Mordred called out as he approached me.
"I can't help it," I said, rolling my shoulders. "I'm worried about him. And the dragon wants to be set loose."
"Rex, you need to learn to relax. Steve will be fine. He's strong, even if his skinny body doesn't show it. He's got yours and Merlin's resourcefulness, not to mention a strong will to survive."
"But what about his magic? We know how technology and magic interact; what if his magic overpowers the technology and something bad happens?"
"Stars above, Rexanne. Stop being such a worrywart. As for the dragon, why don't you go flying tonight? After all, your scales blend into the night sky."
"Maybe," I sighed. Mordred was right; I had to stop worrying so much about my brother. He would be fine.
When the Coronal and Agent Carter returned from the experiment, I confronted them immediately.
"Where's Steve? Where's my brother?" I asked, almost snarling. The Coronal took a step back, unnerved, but Peggy placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Steve's fine, Rex. The experiment was a success."
"Then where is he?"
"He will be doing other things; tonight, we're flying out to London."
"If the experiment was a success, then why is he not going to be flying out with us?"
The Coronal opened and closed his mouth a few times.
"I wanted an army, and all I got was a soldier," he finally spat out.
"Well then," I said, straightening up, "I am going to stay behind and take care of Steve."
"You can't!"
"I can and I will. This is not my war, Coronal. I will do as I please."
With that, I marched off to gather my belongings, Peggy trailing behind me.
"Are you sure you want to stay behind? Your magic could do us some good," Peggy said softly, as not to rouse my anger.
"Someone has to stay behind and teach Steve magic. Even though our brother and I were self-taught, it's better to have someone there to teach you. Besides, you have Mordred. He's as good a sorcerer as I am."
"But with two of you, there will be more power."
"With three of us, it will be tripled. I'm staying and training Steve. And you can't persuade me otherwise."
"I don't know if I can do this," Steve said as he got dressed for his act.
"You can, brother. I know you can," I encouraged him.
"But I want to be out there! I want to fight," Steve sighed.
I hugged Steve. It felt so different hugging the now super soldier when I was used to embracing the small Steve.
"Listen. Once you're done with today, we can begin out magic lessons, okay?" I whispered in his ear. Steve nodded in reply. I patted his arm and Steve went on.
I watched, with slight amusement, as Steve did his silly act. I really didn't approve of this, but if it kept my brother safe…
"This is absolutely ridiculous," I huffed.
"Listen, kid," Senator Brandt's Aide said. "All he's gotta do is sell a few bonds. Bonds buy bullets, bullets kill Nazis. Bing bang boom. He's an American Hero."
I frowned. This… child… knew nothing. Nothing about the real consequences of the war. I shook my head. Leave the idiot to believe what he believes. All that mattered was that Steve was out of harm's way.
I knew I regretted my words as the show moved to Italy. I listened to the soldiers heckle my brother as he tried to do his best to entertain them.
As he came off stage, and the ladies once again did a dance, Steve came to me.
"This was a terrible idea," Steve said, pulling off his mask.
"I know, brother dear, but things will get better," I said, trying to flatten his now messed up hair.
"Stop it," he whined, battering away my hand. I pursed my lips, placing my hands on my hips.
"Steve," I said warningly, knowing what was going on in his mind.
"I know, Rex, but please? I need to be out there with them. Not on stage like a dancing monkey."
"Steve, you know that's not what the superiors want."
"Don't you outrank them? Since you've been in wars already?"
"Technically, I'm a nurse, so no. Also, before that, I was but a mere humble servant of Morgana, and later, Queen Gwen."
Steve sighed, but accepted. I patted him on the back, then went off to the tents to see if any of the nurses needed aid.
The nurses were glad to receive an extra set of hands to work with, and I was allowed private setting so I could use magic when necessary.
I had just finished setting a soldier's dislocated arm back in when Mordred came into the tent.
"Mordred!" I greeted happily, giving the younger sorcerer a hug.
"Rex, we've got a problem. Steve went off to save some soldiers from the Nazis," Mordred said, pulling away from the embrace.
"What?!"
"This is the 107th, and Steve's friend Bucky is in this. Bucky got captured, and Steve is went out to save him."
"Why didn't you go with him?" I asked fervently.
"I only just found out myself," Mordred said, shaking his head. I gave a small growl.
"That child!" I hissed. Mordred placed a placating hand on my shoulder.
"Steve can manage without us, Rex. For now, take care of the soldiers; I'll keep an ear out for Steve."
"Thanks Mordred."
